Durga Puja in Tripura: Tradition, Creativity, and Social Services
Agartala Sep 26: As the beats of the dhak begin to echo across Tripura, different parts of the state are gearing up for Durga Puja with their own unique blend of tradition, creativity, and community spirit.
In Shantir Bazar under the South Tripura District, the Old Hospital Road Puja Committee is drawing attention with a grand theme centered around the 51 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. Devotees visiting the pandal will not only find the idol of the Goddess but also artistic depictions of the 51 divine forms.
The organizers, led by Rajib Chakraborty, announced that the puja pandal will be inaugurated on Saturday with a social program. With a budget of around ₹6 lakh, the committee has emphasized peace, harmony, and joy for all visitors, ensuring that the celebrations are conducted in an atmosphere of unity and happiness.
Meanwhile, in Udaipur under the Gomati District of Tripura, puja celebrations are taking on a more thematic and innovative turn. The Netaji Subhash Social Organization has chosen “The King’s Game – Chess” as its theme this year.
Local artist Sumit Kumar Dutta is designing the pandal, while renowned sculptor Gourishankar Giri from East Midnapore, West Bengal, is creating the idols. With a budget of ₹11 lakh, the organizers promise a distinctive experience, enhanced by creative lighting designed by Pradip Saha.
The pandal will be inaugurated on Shasthi evening by two young chess champions of the state, Aradhya Das and Arshia Das.
Adding to Udaipur’s festive spirit, the 77th Naba Shakti Sangha has planned another remarkable celebration with a budget of ₹25 lakh. Their theme revolves around India’s rich heritage and culture, portrayed through local bamboo crafts.
The pandal is being designed by Agartala’s Prasenjit Sharma, while local artisans Shankar Debnath and Dipak Debnath are handling idol-making and illumination respectively.
This initiative, organizers say, aims to prioritize local talent and preserve traditional artistry. The pandal will be inaugurated on Panchami evening by MLA Abhishek Debroy, in the presence of Gomati Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Debal Debroy and other dignitaries. The organizers have also made it clear that they oppose DJ sound culture and want to highlight Sanatani traditions instead.
Further south, in Belonia, the historic Jogamaya Kalibari is marking its 102nd Durga Puja with a strong focus on social service. Ahead of the festivities, the temple committee recently organized health check-up camps, free medicine distribution, eye testing with spectacles, and the provision of mobility aids for the elderly.
The program witnessed enthusiastic participation, as people across age groups came to avail healthcare facilities at the Nat Mandir premises. Committee president Dr. Jagdish Namah, Secretary Mithun Banik, along with other officials and healthcare workers, were present to oversee the initiative. Locals expressed their gratitude for bringing essential healthcare closer to them in a festive spirit.
In Unakoti district’s Kumarghat, preparations are in full swing across pujas of various budgets. Among them, the city’s elite Subhash Sangha Club is organizing the subdivision’s biggest-budget puja this year. Their pandal is being modeled on Dubai’s Miracle Garden.
Club Secretary C Debroy informed that this will be their 47th Durga Puja, and for this year they chose the Miracle Garden theme to shape their pandal. Efforts are underway to decorate it beautifully, with new creative elements being added to highlight the attraction inside.
He shared that artisans from Nabadwip are crafting the pandal, idols, and lighting. The illumination will spread across the entire town so that people everywhere can enjoy it. Alongside the puja, a fair will also be set up near the club to add to the festive cheer. The organizers assured that all arrangements are being made so visitors can enjoy the puja without inconvenience.
Renowned clay artisan Rasoraj Pal from Nabadwip is sculpting the idols. This year’s idol concept depicts Lord Krishna explaining to Arjuna the triumph of Dharma over Adharma in the Mahabharata war, portrayed through various figurines. The secretary further mentioned that the unique features of the Miracle Garden will be recreated entirely with flowers and carpets.
Speaking about the turnout, he said Kumarghat’s puja always outshines others, drawing massive crowds daily, and this year will be no exception. Visitors not only come from across Tripura but also from neighboring states to witness the grandeur.
While outlining the club’s annual programs, Debroy also highlighted its social initiatives such as blood donation camps, tree plantation drives, and other welfare activities that run throughout the year. Altogether, this year’s puja budget has been set at ₹35 lakh.
The grand pandal, modeled on Dubai’s Miracle Garden, will be inaugurated on Panchami evening. Workers are working day and night to give it its complete shape. In short, the upcoming Durga Puja has created a wave of festive hustle across every small and big organizing committee. Now, all that remains is the awaited arrival of the Mother.
Together, these pujas reflect the diverse character of Tripura’s Durga Puja celebrations—where devotion meets creativity, tradition blends with innovation, and social responsibility walks hand in hand with festivity.
